Wet April 'will not avert drought'

This month's heavy rainfall will not be enough to avert a drought across parts of the UK, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has said.

She said water companies were right to impose a hosepipe ban, telling MPs the Government was well prepared for this summer's drought as they had "seen it coming".

But Labour warned there could be a shortage of drinking water as more people were relying on bore holes in their gardens.

The Environment Agency has issued eight flood warnings for south-west England after some areas saw up to 50mm of rain (2in) overnight and on Thursday morning during what has been one of the wettest Aprils on record.

But speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Spelman said this month's deluge did not make up for the last two dry winters.